Mark willing to make his gender choice an advocacy

It’s been a month since singer–actor Mark Bautista “came out” about being bisexual via “Beyond The Mark.” The book is an easy-read. In fact, I finished my copy of the best-seller under an hour.

My concern for Mark is will he get accepted and that was his fear, too. This is the reason it took him years and a close call with death before deciding to be true to himself and make it known to everyone.

Mark Bautista (Instagram)

On the way to a charity event in Seattle, a random shooter came out from the car directly in front of Mark’s uber car and just started shooting away with two guns for about 10 seconds. Luckily, Mark and the driver survived and now the singer has a new song to sing, about self-awakening.

He said, “It was like an epiphany for me, I just realized how short life is. Because of my near-death experience, my heart felt like it was going to explode if I do not share to the whole world who I really am. I guess I inspired many people that are struggling with gender issues. I have received Instagram messages, some suicidal millennials even thanked me because suddenly they felt that it was okay to come out.

“I am willing to give talks to the youth, LGBT groups, and troubled bisexual teens if it will help them.

“I wrote the book to free myself. I did not expect such a positive impact on troubled souls. God really has a plan for everything.”

Acceptance in America

In the US, so many gay actors play straight men and they are big in Hollywood.

“House Of Cards’” Kevin Spacey, who has an Oscar and an Academy award for best actor, is a proud gay man.

TV superstar Neil Patrick Harris told People magazine back in 2006, “I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest and feel most fortunate to be working with wonderful people in the business I love.”

So, how come so many of our “confused” actors choose not to be open with their gender issues in fear of losing work?

CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, who is adamant about fighting for gay rights, is said to have adviced this to Mark a year before the singer came out.

“You have to be prepared, the Philippines is a very conservative nation. If you feel your career would be in jeopardy then you need to think about that seriously.”

Mark said, “It was the greatest leap I took. But I owe it to myself. I hope it will ignite something – more troubled millennials to come out, inclusion in Philippine cinema and television, and most of all audience acceptance.”

In parting, I asked Mark if he’d tell me some of his “loves” but he just smiled and said, “I don’t kiss and tell, Giselle!”